And as much as I’ve appreciated Hemsky’s game in the past, and as much as I like his undeniable offensive talent, I’d suggest that the majority of fans are correct: the Oilers should move Hensky if the team can get a tough, complete two-way forward in return.

Make no mistake, Hemsky, 29, offers much to a team looking for offensive help. He is the Oilers top goal scorer so far this year, with seven goals in 17 games. With his skating and puckhandling skills, he can advance the puck up the ice as well as almost any winger in the league. He’s never been a great player on the boards, or an outstanding positional defender, but he and his line have generally held their own against tough competition at even strength, though that hasn’t been the case this season, at least in the defensive end. The trio of Sam Gagner, Hemsky and Nail Yakopov has been sieve.

Hemsky is mired in a defensive slump. He is making mistakes that lead to scoring chances against at a higher rate than any other Oilers winger, and that includes rookie Yakupov, whose defensive game is scattered.